Chapter 14: Dual Dao Swords
After an hour of arguing with Zuko I finally came back to my room. My pale arms were covered with black soot from Zuko's attempts at scaring me. I tried to answer his questions honestly, but it was hard when he didn't believe me. At only one piont did he almost burn me. My wrists were still tied. Only giving me so much space to move, but enough to move away from the flame. I wasn't scared. At least I didn't show it.
He finally got so upset with my smart-ass remarks he took me back. The guard with the dent in his chest plate stared at me like always. He always wore his helmet, so I couldn't see his face. Zuko didn't even bother taking the rope off. I twisted my wrists in many different directions untill I found the right pattern. I sighed in relief when I laid down to sleep.
When I woke up it was already dawn. Iroh will be here any minute. I thought. I remembered Chef Hue saying early. I was excited to help. I only had to wait five minutes until I heard the three familiar knocks. I stood up, and patted out the wrinkles on my clothes. Then the door opened. Iroh walked in with his usual smile, and a pair of shoes that I recognized to be mine.
"Thank you," I said as he handed them to me, but as I bent down to put them on I could feel him staring at me. When they were on, and I looked at him I saw he was looking at my arms. A rare frown appeared. "There not burnt."
"Well I talked to Chef Hue to confirm your arrangement, and you will help him today," He said his smile returning. I gave a nodded. Then without another word we walked out, and down the hallway. "How do you feel?"
"Good. Excited really," I said. We made a quick turn and we were in the mess hall without going onto the deck. Only a few men were eating. Seeing how early it was it would be only a matter of time before everyone came out eat. We walked to the back of the kitchen. Chef Hue wasn't there yet so it gave me a chance to look around. There were many stoves, and open flames. A few metal tables, and shelves pushed next to a wall filled with pots and such. There was no door to walk in to the back or wall which made it easy to see the mess hall.
A door in the back of the kitchen opened. Chef Hue walked out with a huge chunk of cold meat. I guessed that was the freezer he walked out from. He threw the meat on one of the tables. When he saw us standing there he smiled. Wiping his hands on his worn out apron he walked in front of us. I forgot how tall he was, as I looked up at him.
"Chef Hue," Iroh said.
"General Iroh," Chef Hue said in a deep voice while bowing. He straightened up and looked at me giving a warm smile.
"I will leave Alec. I will be back in the evening," Iroh. He slightly bowed and left. I stood there a second wondering what to do, but Chef Hue motioned for me to follow him. We stopped in front of the huge block of frozen meat, and he handed me something that looked like a hammer.
"You need to make the meat tender. All you do is pound the meat with this, but don't stay in the same spot," He told me hitting the meat a few times with another hammer. He put the hammer down and turned to me. "First wash up." He pointed to my arms and then a sink at the other side of the kitchen.
"Okay," I said. I walked over, and turned on the water. I ran my arms under the water a few times untill there was no more black soot. I looked at me wet pale arms, and wiped a cloth over them that was by the sink. I went back to the table with the chunk of meat, and saw a worn down apron placed out. I took it, and put it on. Using the hammer the I pound different parts of the meat. I smiled when it made in odd noise.
"I know it's fun, but don't over do it. It wouldn't be good for the meat or your arms," Chef Hue said from the other side of the room. While I was pounding meat he was cutting some sort of vegetable. I slowed down, and took my time. I switch with my right and left arm. Then when everyone started coming in for breakfast I was switch to serving food. All I had to do was handout plates of food along with a few other people. I noticed all the soldiers that passed by.
All of them stared at me. Some said thank you. Some smiled. Some just stared. Then one soldier came down the line with his tray I didn't want to see. I easily recognized the dent in his chest plate. He even wore his helmet during meal times. Great another place he can stare at me. I thought. After about ten minutes of passing out plates everyone was served. I saw Chef Hue chopping some leaves as I approached him.
"What's next?" I asked. He stopped and looked up, but more like down.
"I'm glad you're willing to help, but right now it's break time," He said. Then I heard my stomach growl. He laughed then asked, "Have you had any food this morning?"
"No," I said remembering getting up, and coming straight to the kitchen.
"There's some food over there if you want something," He pointed to a basket on a table that was full of fruits. I took an apple, and ate it as I watched him chop the leaves. I sat on a chair by a table. He then put them in a in a boiling pot of water. He took some white waxy flowers from a plant and stared at them intently before chopping them.
"What kind of plant is that?" I asked.
"Jasmine," He said throwing the flower in to a smaller pot of boiling water.
"How can you tell?" I asked. I could smell it from where I was sitting, but he looked at them like there was more to it.
"The waxy shine, and the shape of white. If it has a yellow shine to it that means there can be poison in it." He said, before I could ask more questions I saw Iroh walk in. Chef Hue stopped what he was doing and bowed. I stood up, and stood next to Iroh.
"Thank you for letting me help," I said to Chef Hue, and bowed.
"Anytime," He said. Me and Iroh walked out. Before I left I threw the eaten apple away. We walked to the door leading to the deck, and went up to the table we sat at yesterday. Again there was a Pai Shoi board, and tea. I sat in my seat and looked around to see no Zuko. I some what sigh in relief. I really did want to see him since the 'almost burning my arm' incident. The whole 'Uncle this, and Uncle that' got on my nerves. It's like he never gave his Uncle a break.
"So how was it?" Iroh asked pouring two cups of tea. I turned my attention to him and gave a smile.
"Good. I served food, and beat some meat," I said. My arms are going to feel it in the morning. I thought. "Then I watched Chef Hue make some jasmine tea."
"One of my favorites," He said handing me a cup.
"Why do you love tea so much?" I asked politely.
"I just do. It's calming, and sweet. Some times I think about one day owning my own shop in the Fire Nation."
"You should call it 'The Jasmin Dragon'. Since you love jasmine tea, and you're the Dragon of the West." He gave a hardy laugh, and sip his tea.
"It is very catchy," He said.
"What is it like in Ba Sing Se?"
"Very beautiful. Nice city. I hope one day you may see it."
"I will," I said as I thought about me and the others going. I could see us walking down the streets, and visiting shops. Appa and Momo flying over the large city.
"I know you will," He said as he could see what I was thinking. I smiled. He was a very kind and loving person. It made me wonder how Zuko could take him for granted.
"UNCLE!" Speaking of the fire devil. I thought. Zuko walked out to the deck wearing a sleeveless brown-red tunic with gold around the edges. That looks familiar. I looked down at my tunic, and groaned realizing it was the same one I was wearing. Ugh. These are his clothes, but beggars can't be chosers. I looked back at Zuko. His tunic fit him quite well. While mine on the other hand was two sizes to big. I noticed how his arms looked bigger with muscles with no sleeves. No you can't be thinking that. He's the enemy. I scolded myself.
Then a man wearing the same thing came out with dual dao swords. I admired the swords remembering a piece of my childhood. The man looked to be around his thirties or so. He had gray hair with some what large side burns. He wore th look of irritation as he handed the swords to the spoiled prince. Zuko turned Iroh again with the swords in his hands.
"Uncle I will be training. I would like for you to watch, and tell me what you think," Zuko said to his Uncle.
"Sure thing. Me and Alec would love to watch," He said. I looked at him, and raised in eyebrow. Why is he bringing me into this? He kept looking at Zuko like he saw nothing. Zuko gave me a glare in my direction, but then turned to the man behind him. I noticed that the man already had a pair of his own dual dao swords with him. Me and Iroh turned our chairs, and watched. This is going to be good. I thought as I hoped the other man would win.
They walked in front of each other and bowed. It was quick as they drew their swords. All that could be heard was the clashing of metal. The man was very fast, and quick. His arms were like earth worms moving in any direction needed. I looked to Zuko who was just as fast, but I noticed who his arms went up to much, and his legs were to spread out. Before I could point out anymore flaws the man he was fighting was on the floor with a sword to his neck.
"Very good nephew," Iroh said clapping his hands. I rolled my eyes.
"I'm ready for the advanced set," Zuko said. I had to keep myself from laughing, but some of it came out. He snapped his head at me. "What was that "air" peasant?"
"Nothing. I was just thinking how you said advanced set," I said adding extra tone in advanced.
"What do you think you could do better?" He said walking away from the man one the floor.
"Uh...Yes," I said getting up. I crossed my arms challenging him. He walked in front of me, and looked down. I had to look up seeing he was four inches taller than me.
"Lieutenant hand her your swords," He ordered to the man now on his feet. The lieutenant handed me the swords. I took them, but as soon as they were in my hands I dropped my arms. It looked like I was holding the weight of the world. I saw Zuko smirk, but I hid a smirk he could not see. The lieutenant stepped back as Zuko went in to a fighting stance. I knew he wasn't going to bow to me.
"Alec..." Iroh started, but was cut off by Zuko.
"You want to fight? We will fight," He said. I wiped the smirk from my face as I showed false anger. I'm going to enjoy this. I thought.
"Alec you don't have to fight," Iroh said.
"She wants to fight. I'm not going to go easy," He said looking at me. neither will I. I thought. With that said his sword was swung at my chest. I lifted my arms showing how light they actually were to me. Using my right sword I easily blocked the attack. I saw Zuko's eyes widen. I didn't waste time I swung my left one at his chest. He stumbled back a few feet blocking the attack, but didn't fall. I grinned as I saw anger play on his face knowing anger clouded the mind. I circled around him trying to find a weak spot.
His anger took him as he swiped his sword to my stomach. I was light on my feet. I backed away with ease. My arms moved freely as the swords felt like a piece of them. I knew after pounding meat and this my arms were REALLY going to feel it in the morning. All that could be heard was the crashing of metal like the last fight. Using both sword he swung for both sides of my neck. I ducked, and went between his arms. From a far it would look like he was hugging me. I took no thought in that as I used the hilt of my sword to punch him in the chest. He fell down on his back as I held the tip of my sword to his neck.
"That's why you don't challenge a Master Swordsman," I said in my victory. I didn't even break a sweat. literally. Without another word Zuko sprung up mad with pure rage, and went below deck. I laughed as I turned around. Iroh show pure shock, and the lieutenant's jaw would have touched the floor if it wasn't attached to his face. I walked over and handed the Lieutenant his dual dao swords back.
"Alec you're a Master Swordsman?" Iroh asked pushing away his shock.
"Yeah. My dad taught me how to fight when my mom died. He was a Master Swordsman too," I said. After Mom died he wanted to make sure I was fully protected.
"Which ever branch in the Navy got him they are very lucky to have him."
"Thank you," I said, but noticed the Lieutenant was staring at me. I turned me head to him and smiled.
"Hello I'm Lieutenant Jee," He said bowing.
"Alec," I said bowing back.
"I must say your skills are very advanced," He said smiling back at me.
"Thank you."
"Well I must get going," He said then turned to Iroh. He bowed, and turned to me. After he bowed he left with his swords below deck. I went back and sat down at the table with Iroh. He poured me a new cup of tea that I gladly accepted.
"Master Swordsman? Why would a well skilled airbender need to be skilled in sword fighting?" He asked leaning back in his chair. Trusting him I told him the story of why I couldn't show anyone my bending, and how my Dad taught me how to fight with swords. Dad used to be blacksmith and swordsman, but after Mom died he lost his motive. I didn't tell him about the soldiers and the water room. He sat there taking in all information. He seemed understanding. I made sure my tears did not fall from my face, but couldn't help my voice breaking. Even though I was only on the ship for a week I felt like I could trust Iroh. He showed me kindness in the very first days as a captive.
"I'm very sorry that this has happened to you," He said looking down at his cup.
"It's okay," I said. "Uncle...um Iroh. Sorry.."
"No it's okay." He said giving me approval to call him 'Uncle'
"Uncle why did you chose to come here with Zuko?" I asked. It didn't feel weird at all to call him 'Uncle'. It actually felt natural. He let out a heavy sigh which made me regret my question.
"After my son, Lu Ten died I spent more time with my nephew. Once he was banished I chose to come with him." He said. I didn't want to push it and ask why he was banished.
"I'm sorry for your loss," I said.
"Thank you, but lets play one more game," He said. We played three more games of Pai Shoi. Uncle laughed every time he won. I might have been a Master Swordsman, but Uncle was a Master Pa Shoi player. After our games we walked back to my room below deck, and I went back feeling happy. I was happy that helped out, and that I kicked Zuko's butt at sword fighting. I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't notice when I fell asleep on my bed.
The metal clashed together. I was covered in sweat, and so was my Father, but we kept the swords up in your hands. My arms were screaming at me to stop, but I couldn't. Dad was already slowing down, and if I stay in a little longer it would have gave me a chance. Our backyard was a mess. Sword slashes in the trees, grass now uneven in different areas. The only thing that wasn't disturbed was the memorial garden.
Even as we moved all around the backyard we somehow stayed away from the orange flowers. We were now breathing heavy when Dad tried to swing the sword at my leg. The attacks were violent, but we weren't going to hurt each other. I jumped avoiding the attack, and went for his neck that was unprotected. The sword was only a centimeter away from his neck when it stopped.
"Very good, Alec. I can now call you the youngest Master Swordsman I know," He said. A huge smile crossed my face as I put my sword down. My father put his dual dao swords down and turned to me. "Not every eleven-year-old has what it takes to be a Master Swordsman."
"Not every body has a Swordsman as a Dad," I said. I put my swords down and sat down.
"You know why I do this?" He asked without wanting an answer softly. "I want you to protect yourself. One day you can use your bending, but not today. Not now."
"I know," I said turning my head towards the orange flowers. A smile crossed my face as I felt Mom looking down at me from the heavens.